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Elf

  • 2003
  • PG
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
331K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,695
339
Will Ferrell in Elf (2003)
Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.
Play trailer1:45
14 Videos
93 Photos
Holiday ComedyHoliday FamilyHoliday RomanceQuirky ComedyUrban AdventureAdventureComedyFamilyFantasyHoliday

Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christ... Read allRaised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.Raised as an oversized elf, Buddy travels from the North Pole to New York City to meet his biological father, Walter Hobbs, who doesn't know he exists and is in desperate need of some Christmas spirit.

  • Director
    • Jon Favreau
  • Writer
    • David Berenbaum
  • Stars
    • Will Ferrell
    • James Caan
    • Bob Newhart
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    331K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    2,695
    339
    • Director
      • Jon Favreau
    • Writer
      • David Berenbaum
    • Stars
      • Will Ferrell
      • James Caan
      • Bob Newhart
    • 679User reviews
    • 148Critic reviews
    • 66Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 8 nominations total

    Videos14

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:45
    Official Trailer
    Elf
    Trailer 2:31
    Elf
    Elf
    Trailer 2:31
    Elf
    Elf
    Trailer 1:34
    Elf
    In Memoriam 2024
    Clip 2:53
    In Memoriam 2024
    Top-Rated Holiday Movies to Watch
    Clip 2:01
    Top-Rated Holiday Movies to Watch
    5 Top-Rated Will Ferrell Movies to Watch
    Clip 1:00
    5 Top-Rated Will Ferrell Movies to Watch

    Photos93

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    Top cast70

    Edit
    Will Ferrell
    Will Ferrell
    • Buddy
    James Caan
    James Caan
    • Walter Hobbs
    Bob Newhart
    Bob Newhart
    • Papa Elf
    Zooey Deschanel
    Zooey Deschanel
    • Jovie
    Edward Asner
    Edward Asner
    • Santa
    Mary Steenburgen
    Mary Steenburgen
    • Emily Hobbs
    Daniel Tay
    • Michael
    Faizon Love
    Faizon Love
    • Gimbel's Manager
    Peter Dinklage
    Peter Dinklage
    • Miles Finch
    Amy Sedaris
    Amy Sedaris
    • Deb
    Michael Lerner
    Michael Lerner
    • Fulton
    Andy Richter
    Andy Richter
    • Morris
    Kyle Gass
    Kyle Gass
    • Eugene
    Artie Lange
    Artie Lange
    • Gimbel's Santa
    Leon Redbone
    Leon Redbone
    • Leon the Snowman
    • (voice)
    Ray Harryhausen
    Ray Harryhausen
    • Polar Bear Cub
    • (voice)
    Claire Lautier
    Claire Lautier
    • News Reporter Charlotte Denon
    Ted Friend
    Ted Friend
    • NY 1 Anchor
    • Director
      • Jon Favreau
    • Writer
      • David Berenbaum
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews679

    7.1331K
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    Featured reviews

    8Christmas-Reviewer

    WOW I forgot how great this film was

    BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW TO THEIR NAME. NOW WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE MOVIE. IF ITS A NEGATIVE REVIEW THEN THEY MIGHT HAVE A GRUDGE AGAINST THE FILM . NOW I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 200 HOLIDAY FILMS. I HAVE NO AGENDA. I AM HONEST ABOUT THEM.

    I saw "Elf" when it was first released theatrically in 2003. I did not see it again until 2016. I forgot everything about this film. What I can't believe was that I forgot how wonderful this film was. It does everything you want in a "Christmas" movie. This film is full of "Christmas Spirit" that most films never seem to capture.

    In this film On Christmas Eve in 1973, an orphaned infant boy stows away on Santa Claus' sack. When discovered back at the North Pole, he is adopted by Papa Elf. Papa Elf names his son Buddy.

    Buddy grows up at the North Pole believing he is an elf, but due to his human size is unable to perform elf tasks. When Buddy accidentally learns that he is human, Papa Elf explains that he was born to Walter Hobbs and Susan Wells, and was given up for adoption without Walter knowing. Susan died and Walter works at a book publisher in New York City. Buddy travels to find him, whom Santa indicates that Walter is on the naughty list due to his greed and selfishness. Buddy then is out to save Walter and Christmas itself.

    This should be on your must see watch list.
    george.schmidt

    An instant holiday classic: Ferrell's crowning achievement to date!

    ELF (2003) *** 1/2 Will Ferrell, James Caan, Mary Steenburgen, Edward Asner, Bob Newhart, Zooey Daschanel, Daniel Tay, Amy Sedaris, Faizon Love, Andy Richter, Kyle Gass, Michael Lerner, Artie Lange, Peter Billingsley, Peter Dinklage, Claire Lautier, Jon Favreau. Ferrell gives an inspired lunacy turn as a man who was raised by elves at The North Pole and discovers to his dismay he's actually human sparking his quest to be re-united with his long-lost father (Caan in an inspired bit of casting), a 'naughty-list' occupant, who works as a children's book publisher in New York City, just in time for Christmas. Hysterically funny thanks to the goofy yet sweet and wonderful turn by Ferrell (no one else could pull off the razor's edge of looking like an idiot yet retaining the innocent glee of a child and bares a striking resemblance to Tom Hanks' turn in 'BIG') with a great cast especially the beguilingly pretty Daschanel as his fellow Santa's Little Helper at Gimbels'who he falls in love with. Directed with style and witty warmth by Favreau (who has a cameo) and written by newcomer David Berenbaum with a smart, fun script that caters to all ages with a nostalgic nod to classic animated holiday specials for good measure. An instant holiday classic. Trivia note: Billingsley, best known as Ralphie from the yuletide cinematic classic, plays 'A CHRISTMAS STORY' the elf foreman!
    bob the moo

    A really nice, funny movie for Christmas despite a little bit of the inevitable smaltz

    Accidentally finding his way into Santa's bad once Christmas Eve, little baby orphan Buddy ends up in the north pole, where he is raised by the elves as one of their own. As he gets ever bigger and less and less suited to the elf lifestyle he is told about his real father and decides to go to New York to find him. However Buddy's natural smile and elfish enthusiasm doesn't really fit in with New York, not to mention a father who rejects him.

    When I first saw the trailer for this film I laughed slightly but I also thought that it could easily be just awful. Despite this fear I decided to go and see it on the basis of seeing Ferrell in the Reloaded MTV spoof on the DVD and being very funny. I was glad that I did as the film was refreshingly funny very enjoyable despite the weaknesses inherent in a seasonable film of this nature. The jokes are a mix of adult and children - but not separately, the humour is of a nature families can all enjoy rather than being of a `one for me and one for the kids' type.

    The film does get a little sweet towards the end, but it manages to avoid this usual trap for the majority of the film and can't be expected to not be all Christmas cheer at some point! The fish out of water stuff is pretty funny and Farrell makes his character funny without being annoying to the audience (as he feared he might be from the trailer). Caan is good but has to work with the `scrooge' character of the film and thus gets fewer laughs. The support cast is good with fun turns from Newhart, Asner and Steenburger.

    It does get a little sickly sweet towards the end and the fish out of water jokes do wear a little thin towards the end but mostly it is very funny and refreshingly fun to watch. The film is made better by a performance from Farrell that is perfectly pitched without being annoying and full of spark and wit.
    movies2u

    A Wonderful Christmas Movie! Absolutely Worth Seeing!

    Elf (2003)

    I sure wish they would have released this movie in December, it would have given it an even Christmas-ier spirit to it all. Elf was a hilarious movie about a guy named Buddy (Will Ferrel), who was raised by elves at the North Pole. He then discovers he isn't an elf, and travels to New York city to find his real father (James Caan). It turns out his that Buddy has a stepbrother and a stepmother (Mary Steenburghen). While there, he meets Jovie (Zooey Deschanel) at a store there, and falls in love. This movie is all about Christmas spirit and is wonderful and enjoyable. It's a great family movie. You should take you ands your family to it during the holiday season. This will be one of those Christmas movies that I will be able to watch over and over. I give Elf a 10/10.
    7moonspinner55

    A star is born in this laugh-out-loud holiday comedy...

    Charming Christmas confection--about a boy raised by elves in the North Pole who grows up and journeys to N.Y.C. in search of his biological father--puts a clever spin on even the most familiar gags, successfully walking a fine line between absurdist comedy and holiday schmaltz. Will Ferrell looks like a string-bean in yellow tights and, with his mass of curly hair peeking out from underneath his elf's hat, he could easily be used as a walking punchline. Fortunately, director Jon Favreau's handling of "Elf" is incredibly nimble, treating Ferrell and his naive character Buddy with the utmost respect; you can laugh at all the silly pranks without ever feeling guilty. Favreau's work is smooth, and he's assembled an incredible supporting cast of character actors to back his star, though some may find the climactic moments (involving Edward Asner as Santa Claus) a bit too literal--and the movie is certainly funnier before we get to this point. Still, the special effects are kept to a minimum in order to let the people shine...and that's not only refreshing, it's heart-warming. *** from ****

    Who Was Almost Buddy the Elf?

    Who Was Almost Buddy the Elf?

    Jim Carrey as Buddy the Elf? It almost happened! Check out who else almost starred in your favorite Christmas movies.
    Find out
    Editorial Image
    2:34

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The scene when Buddy eats different candies and pastries with the spaghetti noodles had to be shot twice, because Will Ferrell vomited the first time.
    • Goofs
      When Buddy chases Michael down the street from the school, a crew member in a yellow hat can be seen trying to duck back behind a doorway of a house on the street.
    • Quotes

      Buddy: [whispering to the department store Santa] You sit on a throne of lies!

    • Crazy credits
      Leon the Snowman closes out the movie by saluting and winking at the camera followed by an iris out.
    • Alternate versions
      AMC prints replace "Baby, It's Cold Outside" by Zooey Deschanel and Leon Redbone with Ray Charles' version of "Winter Wonderland" as the music that plays over the closing credits.
    • Connections
      Featured in Late Night with Conan O'Brien: James Caan/David Cross/Greg Behrendt (2003)
    • Soundtracks
      Pennies From Heaven
      (1936)

      Music by Arthur Johnston

      Lyrics by Johnny Burke

      Performed by Louis Prima

      Courtesy of Capitol Records

      Under license from EMI Film & Television Music

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    FAQ25

    • How long is Elf?Powered by Alexa
    • Since Buddy is a human and therefore has different body chemistry than elves, wouldn't a lifetime of eating candy and sweets make him a morbidly obese diabetic with no teeth?
    • What is 'Elf' about?
    • Is 'Elf' based on a book?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 7, 2003 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Facebook
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Elf, el duende
    • Filming locations
      • Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    • Production companies
      • New Line Cinema
      • Guy Walks into a Bar Productions
      • Gold/Miller Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $33,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $178,053,220
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $32,100,000
      • Nov 9, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $230,266,511
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • DTS
      • Dolby Digital
      • SDDS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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